Butyl rubber

[rjcoles]

Is Butyl rubber safe to use as a sealent on a leak from a grp water tank? There are currently lots of advertising of “magic” sealent tapes on Facebook and elsewhere and I wanted to know if it was safe to use and would not taint the water?

 

[Quandary]

The fact that it is regarded as 'not safe below the waterline' might make me dubious about its suitability for your purpose, I know that butyl rubber sheet is often used as a pondliner so the adhesive is probably not toxic?

 

[thinwater]

Butyl rubber sealants are commonly used and certified for sealing potable water pipes and cisterns. The "not for use below the waterline" advise for boats is probably based on the lack of experiences and internet jabber, not actual failures, unless someone can point to one (which would interest me). The product was invented for sealing water and sewer pipes underground and has been used for that purpose for over 50 years.

Regarding the tapes you speak of, I have no idea.

Will it work? No idea, but I'm sure it depends on the nature of the leak. Describe the location of the leak. If it is a crack, it will probably keep growing.

 

[rjcoles]

The leak is currently hidden, it’s a large tank approximately 750 litres with a few baffles. I plan to fit a couple more hatches behind the baffles so I might find the leak. If the leak is a crack I will drill holes at both ends of it to stop it growing before sealing it with the butyl tape now that I know it is safe to use.

 

[Picniclubber]

My Dad fixed his domestic water pipelines with butyl rubber about 40 years ago, all still fine.

 

[ghostlymoron]

I'd use something that's WRC approved for potable water.